Smart Parking Ltd - Never Received Notice to Keeper - IPC Complaint Raised - Advice Needed

arenasplants

Hi all,
I’m hoping someone can advise on my situation with Smart Parking Ltd.

The Background:
My vehicle received a Parking Charge Notice for parking at a private car park on 27/10/2025. I went to a shop briefly and was unaware of any parking restrictions.

The Problem:
I never received the original Notice to Keeper. The first correspondence I received was a final reminder dated 26/12/2025, by which point the 28-day appeal window had already closed through no fault of my own.

Upon becoming aware of the charge I immediately appealed to Smart Parking. They rejected my appeal solely because it was outside the 28-day window and denied me access to IAS.

What I’ve Done So Far
∙ Appealed to Smart Parking — rejected on time grounds
∙ Requested proof of postage of the Notice to Keeper — they ignored this and just sent payment details
∙ Raised a formal complaint with the IPC — currently awaiting response
∙ Discovered that when searching my PCN reference on Smart Parking’s own website it returns “The Parking Charge Notice could not be found”

Their Position:
Smart Parking are threatening to pass to Debt Recovery Plus if unpaid by 04/03/2026. The charge is currently £155.

My Questions:
1. Does the PCN not appearing on their own website have any significance?
2. Does their failure to provide proof of postage of the Notice to Keeper strengthen my position?
3. Should I wait for the IPC to respond before the 04/03 deadline or pay to avoid debt collectors?
4. If it goes to Debt Recovery Plus how much can they realistically add to the charge?
5. Has anyone had experience with Smart Parking dropping cases at this stage?

I have a full paper trail of all correspondence including timestamped screenshots. Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Nellymoser

Don't pay. Sounds like you haven't done any reading of the NEWBIES thread it's one of the Announcement threads situated at top of page 1. Read:

POST 4 - Debt Letters

And search forum for Smart Parking claim via DCB Legal? Group info thread you'll learn of others experience with Smart.

arenasplants

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81900561#Comment_81900561

Thanks for the reply. Is there a link to POST 4- debt letters as I’m unable to find it

Nellymoser

No link but it's easily found once you click on the NEWBIES, there's lots of info in the NEWBIES but you just keep scrolling till you come to POST 4 - Debt Letters.

Coupon-mad

"Is there a link to POST 4- debt letters as I’m unable to find it".

Yes you can find it in a second. No link needed. It is the fourth post of NEWBIES PLEASE READ THESE FAQS FIRST.

See my signature for where to click.

You realise Smart Parking do this all the time? Phantom NTKs (allegedly not posted at all) have been a feature for years.

We believe one of the reasons they moved from the BPA to IPC might have been because the BPA was investigating the pattern. Which they definitely were.